Solar x-ray spectrometer (SOXS) mission – Low energy payload – First results

We present the first results from the ‘Low Energy Detector’ pay-load of ‘Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS)’ mission, which was launched onboard GSAT-2 Indian spacecraft on 08 May 2003 by GSLV-D2 rocket to study the solar flares. The SOXS Low Energy Detector (SLD) payload was designed, developed and fabricated by Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in collaboration with Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad and ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The SLD payload employs the state-of-the-art solid state detectors viz., Si PIN and Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) devices that operate at near room temperature (-20°C). The dynamic energy range of Si PIN and CZT detectors are 4–25 keV and 4–56 keV respectively. The Si PIN provides sub-keV energy resolution while CZT reveals ∼1.7keV energy resolution throughout the dynamic range. The high sensitivity and sub-keV energy resolution of Si PIN detector allows the measuring of the intensity, peak energy and equivalent width of the Fe-line complex at approximately 6.7 keV as a function of time in all 8 M-class flares studied in this investigation. The peak energy (E _p) of Fe-line feature varies between 6.4 and 6.8 keV with increase in temperature from 9 to 34 MK. We found that the equivalent width (ω) of Fe-line feature increases exponentially with temperature up to 20 MK but later it increases very slowly up to 28 MK and then it remains uniform around 1.55 keV up to 34 MK. We compare our measurements ofw with calculations made earlier by various investigators and propose that these measurements may improve theoretical models. We interpret the variation of both E_pand ω with temperature as the changes in the ionization and recombination conditions in the plasma during the flare interval and as a consequence the contribution from different ionic emission lines also varies.     

Palaeochannel controlled Cretaceous sandstone-type uranium deposit of Lostoin area,Mahadek basin,Meghalaya

Sandstone–type uranium deposit hosted by reduced feldspathic sandstone sequence of lower part of Cretaceous Mahadek Formation occurs at Lostoin area of Mahadek basin and is confined within a prominent palaeochannel of NNE-SSW trend with flow towards SSW. The channel-fill comprises of about 10 m to 55 m grey to dark grey coloured, reduced, coarse to medium grained feldspathic sandstone along with abundant carbonaceous matter (5 to 15% by visual estimation) and is overlain by 5 m to 80 m of oxidized sub-feldspathic sandstone. Correlatable medium grade (～ 0.1% U₃O₈) uranium mineralization is intercepted in the boreholes aligned along the palaeochannel. Uraniferous solutions generated from the fertile provenance of south Khasi batholith flow through the channel and precipitated uranium at suitable reduction traps. Gentle slope of 2° to 3° of the basement channel facilitated prolonged interaction of uraniferous solution with reductants causing ore grade concentration. It has been envisaged that the control of palaeochannel and palaeobasement topography of the ore body would continue towards the SSW beyond Wahblei river.     

Effect of Forest Fire on Snow Reflectance in Uttarakhand Region: An Analysis Using AWiFS and INSAT-3D Data

In the summer of 2016, fire broke out in the forests of Uttarakhand state. The effect of forest fire was thought to have severe impact on nearby glaciated region in terms of faster melting. It is understood that contamination and heat enhance the snowmelt, which reduces the reflectance in different part of EM spectrum. In order to assess the effect, AWiFS and IMAGER data from Resourcesat-1 and INSAT-3D, respectively, for the months of April and May of the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 were used to compare the reflectance of snow. It was observed that pre- and post-fire data of 2016 show drop in reflectance in comparison with earlier years. The change in reflectance for locations near to forest fire was significantly high in comparison with previous year images, whereas far-away locations did not show much change. This drastic drop may be attributed to deposition of black carbon on nearby locations in snow-covered area. AWS data of nearby Joshimath observatory were also analysed to avoid any anomalous change in temperature for the same duration.     

Growth and decay of the Arabian Sea mini warm pool during May 2000: Observations and simulations

Oceanographic surveys were carried out in the southeastern Arabian Sea in two phases during 14–17 May and 23–27 May 2000 to study the evolution of the Arabian Sea mini warm pool. The hydrographic data collected during these experiments, satellite imagery of sea surface temperature for the corresponding period and ship drift data were utilized for this purpose. Both satellite and in situ observations indicated the presence of a mini warm pool up to 14 May and its dissipation thereafter. The Arabian Sea mini warm pool region was characterized by low-salinity Bay of Bengal water (<22 sigma-t). This watermass was advected into the southeastern Arabian Sea by the East India Coastal Current mainly during November–January and recirculated in this region in an anticyclonic eddy. Immediately after the dissipation of the mini warm pool, this watermass could not be traced in this region. Simulation of mini warm pool characteristics using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) agreed well with in situ and satellite observations. Moreover, the model showed strengthening of southerly currents in the warm pool region during its dissipation period, which caused the disappearance of the Bay of Bengal watermass. Specific experiments with the POM revealed the significance of heat flux components, low wind speed and salinity stratification in the formation and sustenance of the mini warm pool.     

Application of a coupled approach for the solution of nonlinear singular initial value problems of Lane–Emden type

Lane–Emden type equations have been interesting since long time due to their wide applications in mathematical physics and astrophysics. In this paper, a coupled approach has been proposed for the solution of nonlinear singular value problems of Lane–Emden type.     

Coupled nature of evening-time ionospheric electrodynamics

The F region evening electrodynamics in the equatorial region is characterized by a pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) in the zonal eastward electric field. Although the theoretical mechanisms for PRE are known, its variability, particularly day-to-day variability is not fully resolved. PRE is a large scale phenomenon driven by the F region dynamo after the sunset hours. This paper investigates whether the variability of the E region conductivity (particularly the one associated with the sporadic E, Es) has any influence on the F region dynamo and hence on the PRE of zonal electric field. Interestingly, ionosonde observations have indicated a higher occurrence of the blanketing type Es (Esb) over the low latitude on days with highly suppressed PRE of zonal electric field in comparison with the days with significantly larger PRE. Observational evidences presented in this paper suggests that the formation of the Esb in the evening hours is a sovereign process, not always controlled by the sheared F region vertical electric field of equatorial origin, mapping along the magnetic field line on to the low latitude E region. Model computations of the PRE suppression based on the measured Es densities have further substantiated the observational findings presented in this paper. These results clearly indicate that the low latitude Es has the potential to suppress the PRE of zonal electric field and possibly can play a vital role in explaining the PRE variability, particularly the day-to-day variability. Results have been discussed in light of earlier reports on PRE mechanisms and E-F region coupling processes.     

Response of subsurface waters in the eastern Arabian Sea to tropical cyclones

Thermister chain data at different depths for June 1998 cyclone in the Arabian Sea at a location (69.2 E,15.5 N) which is about 60 km to the left of the cyclone track indicates subsurface warming below 60 m and inertial oscillations of temperature with a periodicity of about 2 days. The oscillations continued for ∼15 days even after the cyclone crossed the coast. The analysis of the buoy, DS1 located at the same position also suggests a stabilized southward flow after about two weeks of the cyclone crossed the coast. Analysis of the buoy data for May 1999 cyclone in the same region also indicates similar pattern. In order to investigate the effect of cyclone–ocean interaction and primarily to understand the process for the subsurface warming, 3-dimensional Princeton Ocean Model is configured for the eastern part of the Arabian Sea. The model uses high horizontal resolution of about 6 km near the coast and a terrain following sigma coordinate in the vertical with 26 levels. The study focuses on surface cooling and temperature rise in the underlying waters and explains its mechanism through upwelling and downwelling respectively. The simulations in concurrence with the observations suggest that the occurrence of subsurface warming precedes the surface cooling with a lag of ˜a day as the cyclone advances DS1. The simulations also demonstrate local temperature stratification plays an important role for cooling of the upper ocean and warming of the subsurface waters and extent of warming is directly related to the depth of the thermocline.     

A review of stochastic dynamic method of weather prediction

The stochastic dynamic method of weather prediction (SDP) has been suggested recently for better understanding of the numerical weather prediction. The SDP is described using a simple one-dimensional advection equation. The salient features of the method, its scope and limitations, are discussed.